The correct answer is: A. 1/4th
The tropical and temperate deserts of the world occupy nearly 1/4th of the land surface of the world. This is equivalent to about 35 million square kilometers. The Sahara Desert in North Africa is the largest hot desert in the world, covering an area of about 9 million square kilometers. The Arabian Desert in the Middle East is the second largest hot desert, covering an area of about 2.3 million square kilometers. The Gobi Desert in Central Asia is the third largest hot desert, covering an area of about 1.3 million square kilometers. The Atacama Desert in South America is the driest desert in the world, with an average annual rainfall of less than 1 millimeter. The Great Victoria Desert in Australia is the largest desert in Australia, covering an area of about 3.4 million square kilometers.
Option A: 1/4th is the correct answer.
Option B: 1/3rd is incorrect. The tropical and temperate deserts of the world occupy nearly 1/4th of the land surface of the world, not 1/3rd.
Option C: Half is incorrect. The tropical and temperate deserts of the world occupy nearly 1/4th of the land surface of the world, not half.
Option D: 1/7th is incorrect. The tropical and temperate deserts of the world occupy nearly 1/4th of the land surface of the world, not 1/7th.